Writing The College Application Essay (Page 5 of 9) in pdf

Sample Essay #2. Source:

Leigh Rosen

University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2009

Describe a challenge you overcame.

The stiff black apron hung awkwardly on my hips as I casually tried to tie the strings

around my waist. I had been at Gino’s Restaurant for only ten minutes when Maurizio,

the manager, grabbed my arm abruptly and said, “Follow me to the dungeon.” Unsure of

whether or not he was joking, I smiled eagerly at him, but his glare confirmed his intent. I

wiped the smirk off my face and followed him through the kitchen, which was louder

than Madison Square Garden during a Knicks/Pacers game. A tall woman with a thick

Italian accent pushed me while barking, “Move it, kid, you’re blocking traffic.” I later

learned she was a waitress, and waitresses did not associate with the low-level busboys.

Maurizio brought me to a dangerously steep staircase that looked like it had been

purposely drenched in oil to increase the chance of a fall. As he gracefully flew down

each step, I clutched onto the rusty tile walls, strategically putting one foot first and then

the other. Eventually, I entered the “dungeon” and was directed to a table to join two men

who were vigorously folding napkins.

Pretending to know what had to be done, I took a pile of unfolded starched napkins and

attempted to turn them into the Gino accordion. I slowly folded each corner, trying to

leave exactly one inch on both sides, and ignored the giggles and whispers coming from

across the table. When I finished my first napkin, I quickly grabbed another and tried

again, hiding my pathetic initial attempt under my thigh. On my second try, I sighed with

relief when I saw that what I had constructed slightly resembled an accordion shape.

However, when I looked up, I saw that the other two men had each finished twenty

perfect napkins. “Hurry up, little girl,” they said in unison, “We have lots left.” They

pointed to a closet overflowing with white linens as I began to fold my third. The next

couple of nights afforded me the opportunity to master such tasks as refilling toilet paper

dispensers and filling breadbaskets. Just as I began to find solace in these more

manageable jobs, I felt a forceful tap on my shoulder. A heavyset waiter who was

sweating profusely barked, “I need one decaf cappuccino. Understand?”

“Um, okay,” I stuttered, unable to get up enough courage to admit that I had never

attempted to make a cappuccino. I glanced over at the intimidating espresso machine and

started to pace back and forth. The waiter reappeared and with a look of irritation

snapped, “If you didn’t know how to do it, why didn’t you say so? I don’t have time for

this!” Returning to the unnecessary re-cleaning of silverware, the only job I could

comfortably perform, it dawned on me that my fear of showing ignorance had rendered

me incompetent. I had mastered the art of avoidance and had learned nothing. I continued

to clean vigorously, making sure to keep my eyes on the silverware so that no one would

ask me to make another cappuccino.

From Alamance Community College’s Writing Center

Writing The College Application Essay Page 5